Florida Hotel Accidents and Injuries
Florida is one of the world’s top travel destinations. With nearly 500,000 hotel and motel rooms spread over more than 4,000 properties, many vacationers find rest and relaxation in the Sunshine State.[1] Sometimes, however, vacations are ruined or interrupted by an unexpected injury or illness.
As a guest at a hotel or resort in Florida, you have a reasonable expectation that your safety and health will not be at risk. Hotel owners and managers are subject to a very high standard of care when it comes to the safety of their guests. This means they are expected to take all action that is reasonably possible to make sure the premises of the hotel are safe for guests. This duty extends to all areas including parking lots, garages, hotel-owned courtesy cars and shuttle buses, common areas, guest rooms, conference rooms, pools, spas, fitness centers, restaurants, and grounds.
Most of the time, an accident at a hotel could and should have been prevented. Some of the most common causes of hotel injuries are:
Unmaintained pools and hot tubs
Unsupervised pools and play areas
Unsafe showers and bathtubs
Food poisoning
Broken or defective furniture
Neglected leaks and spills
Insect infestations
Poorly lit areas
Crumbling or cracking surfaces on sidewalks and parking lots
Inadequate security
When a hotel fails to ensure that its premises are safe for guests, the hotel can be held liable for any injuries and damages that result. Injured guests can receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain and suffering and more.
If you are injured at a hotel, you should take the following immediate steps:
Seek medical attention, and inform the medical staff of how the injury occurred;
Inform hotel management of the incident and injuries;
Request surveillance video that may exist in the area in which the incident occurred;
Document and photograph your injuries;
Document and photograph the scene and area in which the incident occurred;
Speak with any witnesses that may have observed the incident and obtain their contact information.
If you have questions concerning an injury that occurred at a Florida hotel or resort, contact Baggett Law for a free and confidential consultation.
[1] https://www.visitflorida.org/resources/research/research-faq/
